Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine comprising a cabinet including an outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part may have a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a length of another gap. Accordingly, the drum may be stably rotated without collision with the frame in a dehydration process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0085147, filed on Aug. 3, 2012 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a frame structure of awashing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

A washing machine is an appliance that washes laundry using electricpower. In general, a washing machine comprises a tub to store washwater, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a pulsator rotatably mountedto a bottom portion of the drum, and a motor and a clutch to rotate thedrum and the pulsator.

A washing machine generally performs a washing process to remove dirtfrom laundry, and a dehydration process to remove water from thelaundry.

A washing process is performed by rotating a pulsator in a state oflaundry and wash water being in a drum, in order to agitate the laundrywith the wash water, thereby removing dirt from the laundry. Adehydration process is performed by rotating the drum in order to removewater from the laundry.

When the drum is rotated at a high speed in the dehydration process,water flow is generated in a space formed between the drum and theframe. The water flow exerts force upon the drum in a variabledirection. In the dehydration process, because the drum is rotated in astate of the wash water used in the washing process being dischargedfrom the drum, vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum may occurwhen the laundry accumulates at one side portion of the drum. Thevibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum may be increased byforce acting on the drum by the water flow generated in a space betweenthe drum and the frame. Collision between the drum and the frame mayalso occur.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machinehaving an improved structure capable of stably rotating a drum in adehydration process while preventing collision with a frame.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes a cabinet including an outer frame defining anappearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an innersurface of the outer frame, and a drum having a cylindrical shape androtatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes a waterflow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formedbetween the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated. The waterflow disturbing part has a shape that at least a portion of the innerframe protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that alength of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frameand an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from alength of another gap.

The water flow disturbing part may be provided at two or more portionsof the inner frame along the periphery of the inner frame.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one first water flowdisturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flowdisturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one verticalrib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one horizontalrib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction ofthe drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include a connecting rib whichconnects the vertical rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one second waterflow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flowdisturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction ofthe drum.

The water flow disturbing part may include a first slanted surface and asecond slanted surface which are slanted with respect to the innersurface of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an outward direction ofthe inner frame.

An angle of the first slanted surface with respect to the inner surfaceof the inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of the second slantedsurface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacentthereto may be different from each other.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one first water flowdisturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flowdisturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum,and the first water flow disturbing rib may be provided at either orboth of the first slanted surface and the second slanted surface.

The water flow disturbing part may include a second water flowdisturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flowdisturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction ofthe drum.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes an outer frame, an inner frame at least partiallyconnected to an inner surface of the outer frame, and a drum having acylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The innerframe includes at least one first portion defining a first gap with thedrum, and at least one second portion defining a second gap with thedrum in order to disturb water flow generated in the first gap, thesecond gap being larger than the first gap.

The second portion may be provided at two or more portions of the innerframe along a periphery of the inner frame.

The second portion may be arranged at an angle of approximately 90degrees along the periphery of the inner frame.

The inner frame may include a third portion which is provided betweenthe first portion and the second portion and slantedly connected to thefirst portion and the second portion.

The inner frame may include at least one rib which protrudes from aninner surface of the third portion toward an outer circumferentialsurface of the drum.

The rib may include at least one first rib which is formedlongitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

The rib may include at least one second rib which is formed in a ringshape in a circumferential direction of the drum.

The rib may include a third rib which connects the first rib to a bottomsurface of the inner frame.

The second portion may include a first surface and a second surfacewhich are stepped from each other.

The second surface may be connected to the bottom surface of the innerframe.

As is apparent from the above description, since the inner frame mayhave a shape capable of disturbing water flow generated in a spaceformed between the drum and the inner frame, vibration of the drum maybe reduced and accordingly the drum may be stably rotated in adehydration process.

In addition, durability of the washing machine may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a thirdembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to afourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to afifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fifthembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to asixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the sixthembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like componentsthroughout.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 definingan appearance thereof, a drum 30 rotatably mounted in the cabinet 10,and a driving unit mounted below the drum 30 to rotate the same.

An upper frame 15 is disposed at a top surface of the cabinet 10. Theupper frame 15 is formed with an opening 14 through which a user placeslaundry into the drum 30. A door 16 is provided at the upper frame 15 toopen and close the opening 14.

A lower frame 18 is disposed at a bottom surface of the cabinet 10. Thelower frame 18 is coupled with legs 19 to support the washing machine 1on the ground.

Suspension members 21 (refer to FIG. 2) to suspend the drum 30 from thecabinet 10 are connected to the top surface of the cabinet 10.

The drum 30 is rotatably mounted in the cabinet 10, and is formed with aplurality of through-holes 36 at an upper peripheral wall of the drum30.

A pulsator 35 is rotatably mounted on a bottom portion of the drum 30.The pulsator 35 serves to agitate laundry introduced into the drum 30with wash water.

A water supply device 50 is mounted above the drum 30 in order to supplywash water to the drum 30. The water supply device 50 includes a watersupply valve 53 to control water supply, and a water supply pipe 51 toconnect the water supply valve 53 to a detergent supply device 60.

One end portion of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to an externalwater supply source (not shown), and the other end portion of the watersupply pipe 51 is connected to the detergent supply device 60.

The detergent supply device 60 includes a case 61 disposed in the upperframe 15, and a detergent container 63 detachably attached to the case61 and serving to contain a detergent. The case 61 is formed with anoutlet hole 65 at a bottom surface thereof, through whichdetergent-dissolved wash water flows out of the case 61.

The water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 is fed into the drum30 together with a detergent via the detergent supply device 60.

A first drain hose 82 and a second drain hose 84 are disposed below thedrum 30, in order to discharge wash water from the cabinet 10 after awashing or dehydration process is completed.

The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate the drum 30and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the clutch 120, aflange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of the clutch 120 to abottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit rotational force of thedriving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a base plate 160 to which theclutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are fixed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a sectional view takenalong line I-I in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken alongline II-II in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the drum 30 is disposed in the cabinet 10with a predetermined gap from the cabinet 10. Therefore, a space toadditionally store wash water is formed between the cabinet 10 and thedrum 30.

The cabinet 10 includes an outer frame 10 a forming an appearance of thewashing machine 1, and an inner frame 10 b at least partially connectedto an inner surface of the outer frame 10 a.

The inner frame 10 b has a substantially cylindrical shape. An outercircumferential surface of the inner frame 10 b may be connected to theinner surface of at least a portion of the outer frame 10 a using ribs(not shown) or the like, or may be in contact with the inner surface ofat least a portion of the outer frame 10 a.

The inner frame 10 b has a side wall which is slanted in such a mannerthat a radius thereof is gradually increased from the bottom portion tothe top portion. Most of the water discharged from the drum 30 throughthe through-holes 36 during the dehydration process flows down an innercircumferential surface of the inner frame 10 b, and flows into a drainrecess 22. Because the side wall of the inner frame 10 b is slanted, thewater discharged from the drum 30 slowly flows along the slanted surfaceof the inner frame 10 b. Accordingly, the water flowing into the drainrecess 22 is prevented from splashing out of the drain recess 22.

The side wall of the inner frame 10 b may have the same slanted angle asa slanted angle α of a side wall 34 of the drum 30 so as to be inparallel therewith. While the drum 30 is rotated, the drum 30 mayvibrate in a radial direction thereof as well as in a verticaldirection. In order to prevent interference with the inner frame 10 b ofthe cabinet 10 due to vibration of the drum 30 in the radial direction,a gap is provided between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10 b. Forexample, since the inner frame 10 b and the side wall 34 of the drum 30are disposed in parallel with each other, the gap may be uniformlymaintained therebetween and utilization of space in the cabinet 10 maybe maximized.

In order to improve productivity, the outer frame 10 a and the innerframe 10 b may be integrally formed by injection molding. In this case,the cabinet 10 including the outer frame 10 a and the inner frame 10 bmay be made of a material, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS), Poly Propylene (PP) or the like. The cabinet 10 may be formed byinjection molding to reinforce the strength of the cabinet 10 becausethe cabinet 10 includes the outer frame 10 a and the inner frame 10 b.That is, the cabinet 10 may not be damaged in the injection moldingprocesses of injection of a material, such as ABS, PP or the like, intoa mold, coagulation and separation of the mold.

The outer frame 10 a and the inner frame 10 b may be separately made ofdifferent materials, and may be coupled to each other later. Forexample, the outer frame 10 a may be made of a metal material forstrength reinforcement, and the inner frame 10 b may be made of aplastic material. The cabinet 10 may be formed by coupling theseparately manufactured outer frame 10 a and inner frame 10 b to eachother.

The inner frame 10 b is provided with the drain recess 22 at a lower endportion thereof. The drain recess 22 is formed in a bent shape along theperiphery of the inner frame 10 b.

The drain recess 22 includes a first bent portion 22 a which is benttoward a central portion of the inner frame 10 b from the lower endportion of the inner frame 10 b, and a second bent portion 22 b which isbent upwardly and perpendicularly to the ground from the end portion ofthe first bent portion 22 a.

The first bent portion 22 a serves to receive the water directlydropping thereon or flowing down the outer circumferential surface ofthe drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10 bafter being discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36during the dehydration process. The second bent portion 22 b serves toform a water passage with the inner circumferential surface of the lowerend portion of the inner frame 10 b, in order to temporarily store thewater flowing down to the first bent portion 22 a and discharge thewater.

The first bent portion 22 a is formed with a drain hole 24 at a portionthereof. The drain hole 24 communicates with the drain recess 22, anddischarges the water stored in the drain recess 22 out of the drainrecess 22. The second drain hose 84 is connected to an end portion ofthe drain hole 24. The water passing through drain hole 24 is finallydischarged from the cabinet 10 through the second drain hose 84 and thefirst drain hose 82 connected to the second drain hose 84.

The drum 30 disposed in the inner frame 10 b may rotate about a verticalaxis.

The drum 30 includes a bottom wall 32 and a side wall 34 connected tothe bottom wall 32 to define a wash water storage space.

The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a plurality of ribs32 a. The plurality of ribs 32 a serve to generate centrifugal forceacting in the radial direction of the drum 30 (i.e., a direction towardthe inner frame 10 b of the cabinet 10 from the center of the drum 30)when the drum 30 is rotated. Accordingly, the water flowing down theouter circumferential surface of the drum 30 is prevented from movingtoward the center portion of the drum 30, near which the clutch 120 andthe driving motor 150 are disposed, along the bottom wall 32 of the drum30.

The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is slanted such that a diameter of thedrum 30 is gradually increased from the bottom wall 32 to the top of thedrum 30. The drum 30 rotates at a high speed of approximately 280 rpm ormore in the dehydration process. The water removed from laundry moves tothe side wall 34 of the drum 30 by centrifugal force, and smoothly movesto the upper portion of the drum 30 on the inner circumferential surfaceof the slanted side wall 34.

The slanted angle α of the side wall 34 with respect to a line Iperpendicular to the bottom wall 32 may be in the range of approximately2° to approximately 10°. If the slanted angle α is too small, below 2°,the water may not smoothly move to the upper portion of the drum 30 onthe inner circumferential surface of the side wall 34, which causesdeterioration of dehydration performance. Conversely, if the slantedangle α is too large, above 10°, the diameter of the upper portion ofthe drum 30 may become large, which causes increase in overall width ofthe cabinet 10.

The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is formed with at least one or morethrough-holes 36 through which the water removed from laundry isdischarged from the drum 30.

The through-holes 36 are arranged on the peripheral surface of the sidewall 34 in a circumferential direction. The through-holes 36 may belocated at an upper half of the drum 30 so as to prevent outflow of washwater from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 during the washingprocess.

The water discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 flowsdown the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 or the innercircumferential surface of the inner frame 10 b or directly dropsthrough a discharge passage 33 defined by the side wall 34 and the innercircumferential surface of the inner frame 10 b, and flows into thedrain recess 22.

The drum 30 may further include guide ribs 38 to guide movement of thewater discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 to thedrain recess 22.

The guide ribs 38 are positioned between the second bent portion 22 b ofthe drain recess 22 and the inner circumferential surface of the innerframe 10 b. The guide ribs 38 extend from the lower end portion of theside wall 34 so as to prevent the water flowing down the outercircumferential surface of the drum 30 from moving toward the centerportion of the drum 30, near which the clutch 120 and the driving motor150 are disposed, along the bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 and also toensure smooth flow of the water to the drain recess 22.

An interference-prevention recess 39 is defined between a side surfaceof the bottom wall 32 and the guide ribs 38. The interference-preventionrecess 39 has a predetermined depth so as to prevent interferencebetween the drum 30 and the second bent portion 22 b due to verticalvibration of the drum 30 during operation of the washing machine 1.

The depth of the interference-prevention recess 39 or the length of theguide ribs 38 extending from the lower end portion of the side wall 34is related to a vertical vibration width of the drum 30 during thewashing or dehydration process. As the vertical vibration width of thedrum 30 increases, the depth of the interference-prevention recess 39increases, however, the extension length of the guide ribs 38 decreases.

The overall height of the cabinet 10 may be reduced by positioning theguide ribs 38 between the second bent portion 22 b and the innercircumferential surface of the inner frame 10 b and positioning thesecond bent portion 22 b in the interference-prevention recess 39. Thatis, in consideration of the vertical vibration width of the drum 30, thewashing machine 1 may be designed such that the guide ribs 38 aretemporarily received in the drain recess 22 and the second bent portion22 b is temporarily received in the interference-prevention recess 39,thereby reducing the height of the cabinet 10 by an overlapping lengthbetween the guide ribs 38 and the second bent portion 22 b.

The driving unit is mounted below the drum 30 in order to drive the drum30 or the pulsator 35 disposed in the drum 30.

The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate the drum 30and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the clutch 120, aflange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of the clutch 120 to abottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit rotational force of thedriving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a base plate 160 to which theclutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are fixed.

The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a shaft-coupling part31 at the center thereof. The shaft-coupling part 31 is coupled with theflange member 140 and fixedly supports the flange member 140. Theshaft-coupling part 31 includes a shaft-coupling wall 31 a protrudingdownwardly from the bottom wall 32 outside the drum 30, and ashaft-inserting hole 31 b defined by the shaft-coupling wall 31 a sothat an end portion of the flange member 140 is inserted into the drum30 through the shaft-inserting hole 31 b.

A portion of the flange member 140 coupling the driving shaft 124 to thedrum 30 is fixedly inserted into the shaft-inserting hole 31 b.

The flange member 140 includes a first penetration hole 142 formed atthe center thereof, into which the driving shaft 124 is fitted, and asecond penetration hole 144 formed around the first penetration hole 142in a circumferential direction.

The second penetration hole 144 serves as a passage through which thewash water in the drum 30 moves out of the drum 30 when the washingprocess is completed.

The clutch 120 includes a housing 122 and a driving shaft 124 rotatablycoupled to a center of the housing 122.

The housing 122 accommodates bearings to rotatably support the drivingshaft 124 and speed reducers to reduce a speed of the driving shaft 124.

The driving shaft 124 is inserted through the first penetration hole 142of the flange member 140, and is connected to the drum 30 and thepulsator 35.

The driving shaft 124 includes a first connecting part 124 a fitted intothe first penetration hole 142, and a second connecting part 124 bextending from the first connecting part 124 a and coupled to thepulsator 35. The first connecting part 124 a and the second connectingpart 124 b may rotate simultaneously or separately from each otheraccording to the washing or dehydration process. In the washing process,the second connecting part 124 b rotates, and thus only the pulsator 35coupled to the second connecting part 124 b rotates. In the dehydrationprocess, the first connecting part 124 a and the second connecting part124 b rotate at the same time, and thus the drum 30 and the pulsator 35also rotate at the same time. The other end portion of the driving shaft124 is coupled with a pulley 134 to transmit rotational force of thedriving motor 150 to the clutch 120 using a drive belt 135.

A base plate cover 162 is coupled between the flange member 140 and thebase plate 160. The base plate 160 and the base plate cover 162 define aspace 161 communicating with the second penetration hole 144 so that thewater flowing in the space 161 through the second penetration hole 144may move to a drain case 174. In order to prevent wash water leakage,sealing members 164 are inserted between the flange member 140 and thebase plate cover 162 and between the base plate cover 162 and the baseplate 160.

The drain case 174 is coupled below the base plate 160. The drain case174 stores the wash water flowing therein via the space 161 defined bythe base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160. A drain pipe 176 isprovided at an end portion of the drain case 174 in order to dischargethe wash water from the drain case 174. The drain pipe 176 is connectedwith the first drain hose 82 to discharge the wash water from thecabinet 10. The drain pipe 176 is provided with a valve 178 toselectively discharge the wash water from the drain case 174 during thewashing process.

The wash water used in the washing or rinsing process flows in the space161 between the base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160 through thesecond penetration hole 144 of the flange member 140, and is dischargedfrom the cabinet 10 through the drain case 174 and the first drain hose82. The wash water removed from laundry in the dehydration process movesout of the drum 30 through the through-holes 36, flows down the outercircumferential surface of the drum 30 or the inner circumferentialsurface of the inner frame 10 b to be received in the drain recess 22,and is discharged from the cabinet 10 through the drain hole 24 and thesecond drain hose 84 connected to the drain hole 24.

The base plate 160 is coupled to a lower portion of the cabinet 10 bythe suspension members 21. At least two or more suspension members 21are coupled to corner portions of the cabinet 10 including thequadrangular-shaped outer frame 10 a and the cylindrical-shaped innerframe 10 b, in order to support the drum 30. The corner portions of thecabinet 10 are provided with coupling ribs 10 c to which end portions ofthe suspension members 21 are coupled. The coupling ribs 10 c may beformed integrally with the outer frame 10 a and the inner frame 10 b byinjection molding.

Connecting brackets 180 are coupled between the base plate 160 and thesuspension members 21. Each of the connecting brackets 180 is providedwith an interference-prevention recess 181 which is bent downwardly soas to prevent interference with the drain recess 22 during operation ofthe washing machine. The base plate 160 and the connecting brackets 180may be formed integrally with each other.

Since the drum 30 is connected to the clutch 120 and the base plate 160fixing the clutch 120 below the drum 30 and the base plate 160 iscoupled to the lower portion of the cabinet 10 by the suspension members21, load applied to the drum 30 is transmitted to the suspension members21 through the base plate 160, and the suspension members 21 absorbvibration due to the load applied to the drum 30.

In addition, since the cabinet 10 has a two part structure including theouter frame 10 a and the inner frame 10 b, the cabinet 10 has sufficientstrength to bear weights of the drum 30, the clutch 120 and the drivingmotor 150 connected thereto by the suspension members 21. However, thecabinet may have more than two part structure including a plurality offrames.

A damping device 200 connects the base plate 160 to the lower frame 18,and serves to absorb vibration generated in rotation of the drum 30. Thedamping device 200 includes a supporting bracket 210 coupled to thebottom surface of the base plate 160, and a plurality of dampers 220 and240, each of which has an end portion connected to the supportingbracket 210 and the other end portion connected to the lower frame 18.

Both end portions of the dampers 220 and 240 are respectively pivotablycoupled to the supporting bracket 210 and the lower bracket 18, so as toabsorb vibration generated in rotation of the drum 30. Accordingly,rotation of the drum 30 is stabilized, and the drum 30 is prevented fromcolliding with the inner frame 10 b. In order to effectively absorbvibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the dampers 220 and240 may be radially arranged about a rotation center axis Lc of the drum30.

The inner frame 10 b may have, for example, a shape capable ofdecreasing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 bydisturbing water flow formed between the inner frame 10 b and the drum30 when the drum 30 is rotated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showingthe inner frame according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner frame 10 b may have, for example, ashape capable of disturbing water flow formed in the space formedbetween the drum 30 and the inner frame 10 b when the drum 30 isrotated.

The inner frame 10 b includes at least one first portion 111 spaced fromthe drum 30 to define a first gap G1, at least one second portion 112spaced from the drum 30 to define a second gap G2, which is larger thanthe first gap G1, in order to disturb water flow formed in the first gapG1, and third portions 113 a and 113 b disposed between the firstportion 111 and the second portion 112 and slantedly connected to thesame. The second portion 112 and the third portions 113 a and 113 bconnected to both end portions of the second portion 112 form a waterflow disturbing part 110.

The water flow disturbing part 110 may have, for example, a shape that aportion of the inner frame 10 b protrudes outwardly along the peripheryof the inner frame 10 b so that a length of the gap between the innersurface of the inner frame 10 b and the outer circumferential surface ofthe drum 30 different from a length of another gap. Therefore, thedistance between the inner frame 10 b the drum 30 may not be uniform.The third portions 113 a and 113 b of the water flow disturbing part 110include a first slanted surface 115 and a second slanted surface 116,respectively, which are slanted with respect to the inner surface of theinner frame 10 b adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the innerframe 10 b. The water flow disturbing part 110 may include at least oneedge portion 114 a, 114 b which is bent toward the drum 30. For Example,a plurality of edge portions 114 a and 114 b are formed at the junctionsof the third portions 113 a and 113 b, the first portion 111 and thesecond portion 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge portions 114 a and 114b are formed between the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 aor 113 b so that the second portion is depressed toward the drum 30.Although the edge portions may be bent toward the drum 30, the edgeportions may be separately manufactured and assembled together with thesecond and third portions.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 10 b is changed in speed and direction at the third portions113 a and 113 b slantedly connected to the first portion 111 and thesecond portion 112. The first slanted surface 115 and the second slantedsurface 116 of the third portions 113 a and 113 b guide the water flowgenerated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b to an inner surface 112 a of the second portion 112 and the edgeportions 114 a and 114 b. Accordingly, the water collides with the innersurface 112 a of the second portion 112 and the edge portions 114 a and114 b. As a result, the speed and direction of water flow are changed,and thus the water flow is disturbed.

When the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10 b isregarded as a flow passage, the second gap G2 serves as a section inwhich a width of the flow passage is relatively large. Therefore, thespeed of water flow is reduced, and the pressure is increased in thearea of the second gap G2. That is, the force applied to the drum 30 bywater flow in the area of the second gap G2 is larger than the force inother areas. In addition, the force F applied to the drum 30 by waterflow in the area of the second gap G2 is directed toward the center ofthe drum 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of water flow disturbing parts 110 maybe radially arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along theperiphery of the inner frame 10 b. In this case, all of the forces F1,F2, F3 and F4 acting on the drum 30 by water flow in each area of thesecond gap G2 are directed toward the center of the drum 30.Accordingly, vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 isreduced. As a non-limiting example, only four water follow disturbingparts are shown in FIG. 6, however, a number of the water flowdisturbing parts is not limited thereto. For example, the inner framemay include one or more water flow disturbing parts.

If laundry accumulates at one side portion of the drum 30, the drum 30rotates eccentrically, and an area R (hereinafter referred to as a firstarea), in which the gap between the outer circumferential surface of thedrum 30 and the inner surface of the inner frame 10 b becomes smallerthan the gap in the other areas, may be generated. Since the first areaR serves as a section in which a width of the flow passage formed in thespace formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10 b becomesrelatively small, the speed of water flow is increased, and the pressureis decreased. Accordingly, force Fr is applied to the drum 30 in such adirection that the gap of the first area R is further reduced. At thistime, the water flow disturbing parts 110 located adjacent to both sideportions of the first area R reduce vibration due to eccentric rotationof the drum 30 in such a manner that a resultant force of the pressuresF1 and F2 acting on the drum 30 eliminates the force Fr acting on thedrum 30 in a direction of reducing the gap of the first area R.

As described above, the water flow disturbing parts 110 disturb thewater flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 10 b, and reduce vibration due to eccentric rotation of thedrum 30 by eliminating the force acting on the drum 30 in an eccentricdirection of the drum 30, thereby preventing collision between the drum30 and the inner frame 10 b in advance.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the inner frame will be explained. Thesame parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and names and aduplicate description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a plan viewshowing the inner frame according to the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an inner frame 210 b includes at least onevertical rib 211 which protrudes from the inner surface of the waterflow disturbing part 110 toward the outer circumferential surface of thedrum 30.

The vertical rib 211 is formed longitudinally in an extension directionof the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30, and protrudes from thefirst slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of thethird portions 113 a and 113 b toward the outer circumferential surfaceof the drum 30 by a predetermined length.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 210 b is guided to the vertical rib 211 by the first slantedsurface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113 b. Accordingly, the water collides with the vertical rib 211,and the speed and direction of the water flow are changed.

As described above, the vertical rib 211 disturbs the water flowgenerated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame210 b, and changes the magnitude and direction of the force of the waterflow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentricrotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a thirdembodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showingthe inner frame according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inner frame 310 b includes a connectingrib 311 to connect the vertical rib 211 to a bottom portion of the innerframe 310 b.

The connecting rib 311 may have, for example, a shape that a widththereof is gradually decreased from the bottom portion to the topportion in an extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of thedrum 30.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 310 b is guided to the connecting rib 311 by the firstslanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the thirdportions 113 a and 113 b. Accordingly, the water collides with theconnecting rib 311, and the speed and direction of the water flow arechanged. The connecting rib 311 and the vertical rib 211 disturb thewater flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 310 b, and change the magnitude and direction of the forceof the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration dueto eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to afourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a plan viewshowing the inner frame according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an inner frame 410 b includes at least onewater flow disturbing rib 411, which is formed in an extension directionof the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30 and may have, for example,a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part 110 protrudesinwardly so that a length of the gap between the inner surface of thewater flow disturbing part 110 and the outer circumferential surface ofthe drum 30 is different from a length of another gap. Therefore, thedistance between the inner frame 410 b and the drum 30 may not beuniform.

The water flow disturbing rib 411 includes a stepped rib surface 422which is provided at a lower portion of the water flow disturbing part110 and is stepped from the inner surface of the water flow disturbingpart 110, a first stepped surface 431 to connect the inner surface ofthe water flow disturbing part 110 to the stepped rib surface 422 in alongitudinal direction of the water flow disturbing rib 411, and secondstepped surfaces 432 to connect the inner surface of the inner frame 410b to the stepped rib surface 422 in a width direction of the water flowdisturbing rib 411.

The water flow disturbing rib 411 is disposed between the first slantedsurface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113 b, and disturbs the water flow. The water flow generated inthe space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 410 b is guidedto the water flow disturbing rib 411 by the first slanted surface 115and the second slanted surface 116. Accordingly, the water collides withthe second stepped surfaces 432, and the speed and direction of thewater flow are changed. The first stepped surface 431 changes the speedand direction of the water flow in a vertical direction of the waterflow disturbing rib 411. The water flow disturbing rib 411 disturbs thewater flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 410 b using the first stepped surface 431 and the secondstepped surfaces 432, and changes the magnitude and direction of theforce of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducingvibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to afifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 14 is a plan viewshowing the inner frame according to the fifth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an inner frame 510 b includes at least onehorizontal rib 511 which protrudes from an inner surface of the innerframe 510 b toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30.

The horizontal rib 511 has a ring shape formed in a peripheral directionof the drum 30. The horizontal rib 511 disturbs the water flow generatedin the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 510 b, andchanges the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flowacting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentricrotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to asixth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 16 is a plan viewshowing the inner frame according to the sixth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an inner frame 610 b includessawtooth-shaped water flow disturbing parts 610 which are arrangedspaced apart from each other along a periphery of the inner frame 610 b.

The water flow disturbing parts 610 may have, for example, a shape thata portion of the inner frame 610 b protrudes outwardly along theperiphery of the inner frame 610 b so that a length of the gap betweenthe inner surface of the inner frame 610 b and the outer circumferentialsurface of the drum 30 is different from a length of another gap.Therefore, the distance between the inner frame 610 b and the drum 30may not be uniform. Each of the water flow disturbing parts 610 includesa first slanted surface 615 and a second slanted surface 616 which areslanted outwardly from the inner frame 610 b at slanted angles r1 andr2. The slanted angle r1 of the first slanted surface 615 with respectto the inner surface of the inner frame 610 b and the slanted angle r2of the second slanted surface 616 with respect to the inner surface ofthe inner frame 610 b may be different from each other.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and theinner frame 610 b collides with the first slanted surface 615 and thesecond slanted surface 616, and the speed and direction thereof arechanged. The water flow disturbing parts 610 disturb the water flowgenerated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame610 b using the first slanted surface 615 and the second slanted surface616, and change the magnitude and direction of the force of the waterflow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentricrotation of the drum 30.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedin the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet includingan outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at leastpartially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and a drumhaving a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame,wherein the inner frame includes at least one water flow disturbing partto disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum andthe inner frame when the drum is rotated, and the water flow disturbingpart has a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudesoutwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of atleast one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outercircumferential surface of the drum is different from a length ofanother gap.
 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein thewater flow disturbing part is provided at two or more portions of theinner frame along the periphery of the inner frame.
 3. The washingmachine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing partincludes at least one first water flow disturbing rib which protrudesfrom an inner surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outercircumferential surface of the drum.
 4. The washing machine according toclaim 3, wherein the first water flow disturbing rib includes at leastone vertical rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction ofthe drum.
 5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the firstwater flow disturbing rib includes at least one horizontal rib which isformed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum. 6.The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first water flowdisturbing rib includes a connecting rib which connects the vertical ribto a bottom surface of the inner frame.
 7. The washing machine accordingto claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes at least onesecond water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of thewater flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axialdirection of the drum.
 8. The washing machine according to claim 1,wherein the water flow disturbing part includes a first slanted surfaceand a second slanted surface which are slanted with respect to the innersurface of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an outward direction ofthe inner frame.
 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein anangle of the first slanted surface with respect to the inner surface ofthe inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of the second slantedsurface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacentthereto are different from each other.
 10. The washing machine accordingto claim 8, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes at least onefirst water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface ofthe water flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surfaceof the drum, and the first water flow disturbing rib is provided at atleast one of the first slanted surface and the second slanted surface.11. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water flowdisturbing part includes a second water flow disturbing rib which has ashape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part protrudesinwardly and extends in an axial direction of the drum.
 12. A washingmachine comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame at least partiallyconnected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and a drum having acylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame, wherein theinner frame includes at least one first portion defining a first gapwith the drum, and at least one second portion defining a second gapwith the drum in order to disturb water flow generated in the first gap,the second gap being larger than the first gap.
 13. The washing machineaccording to claim 12, wherein the second portion is provided at two ormore portions of the inner frame along a periphery of the inner frame.14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the secondportion is arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along theperiphery of the inner frame.
 15. The washing machine according to claim12, wherein the inner frame includes a third portion which is providedbetween the first portion and the second portion and slantedly connectedto the first portion and the second portion.
 16. The washing machineaccording to claim 15, wherein the inner frame includes at least one ribwhich protrudes from an inner surface of the third portion toward anouter circumferential surface of the drum.
 17. The washing machineaccording to claim 16, wherein the rib includes at least one first ribwhich is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum. 18.The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the rib includes atleast one second rib which is formed in a ring shape in acircumferential direction of the drum.
 19. The washing machine accordingto claim 17, wherein the rib includes a third rib which connects thefirst rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.
 20. The washingmachine according to claim 12, wherein the second portion includes afirst surface and a second surface which are stepped from each other.21. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the inner frameincludes at least one edge portion which is provided between the secondportion and the third portion, and bent toward the outer circumferentialsurface of the drum so that the second portion is depressed toward theouter circumferential surface of the drum.
 22. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one water flow disturbingpart has a saw-tooth shape along the periphery of the inner frame.
 23. Awashing machine comprising: an outer frame; an irregular shaped innerframe at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outerframe; and a drum rotatably disposed in the inner frame, wherein adistance between a portion of the inner frame and the drum is differentfrom a distance between another portion of the inner frame and the drum.